David Jones, artist and poet (1895-1974) begins his PREFACE TO THE ANATHEMATA :

'I have made a heap of all that I could find.' (1) So wrote Nennius, or whoever composed the introductory matter to Historia Brittonum. He speaks of an 'inward wound' which was caused by the fear that certain things dear to him 'should be like smoke dissipated'. Further, he says, 'not trusting my own learning, which is none at all, but partly from writings and monuments of the ancient inhabitants of Britain, partly from the annals of the Romans and the chronicles of the sacred fathers, Isidore, Hieronymous, Prosper, Eusebius and from the histories of the Scots and Saxons although our enemies . . . I have lispingly put together this . . . about past transactions, that [this material] might not be trodden under foot'. (2)

(1) The actual words are coacervavi omne quod inveni, and occur in Prologue 2 to the Historia.(2) Quoted from the translation of Prologue 1. See The Works of Gildas and Nennius, J.A.Giles, London 1841.

A colourful study in watercolour showing Venetian bragozzo fishing boats, attributed to Keeley Halswelle RI ARSA (1832-1891). Halswelle was a painter of genre scenes and landscapes, and a watercolourist and illustrator. He painted quite extensively in Italy in the 1870s, and in particular Venice, having moved to Italy in 1869. He also had a fondness for boats, and in later life owned a houseboat on the Thames.

This charming small sketch captures the colour and activity of the Venice lagoon. It shows the boats’ decorated square lug sails, traditionally emblazoned with cabalistic signs or heraldic symbols. Sponges and natural dyes were used to paint the sails in bright colours, which would help preserve the material and make the boats recognisable at a distance.

28 June 2018

I can't believe we made it (this is what we made, made) This is what we're thankful for (this is what we thank, thank) I can't believe we made it (this a different angle) Have you ever seen the crowd goin' apeshit? Rah!

Theatre of the Actors of Regard

detail A Person Looks At A Work Of Art/

someone looks at something...

LOGOS/HA HA

27 June 2018

Theatre of the Actors of Regard enjoyed the epilog scene in Sebastian Smee's review of Baselitz: Six Decadesat the Hirshhorn Museum, Washington:'Whatever. The comedy of watching art aficionados standing in front of these canvases and trying to resist the urge to turn their heads upside down, the better to see them, is a consolation, of sorts.'Georg Baselitz is an overrated hack. Art collectors fell for him - but you don’t have to.Sebastian Smee | The Washington Post

First Lady Melania Trump left the country baffled and concerned Thursday when she wore a trendy jacket with a bizarre message on the back that read, “I really don’t care, do u?” as she traveled to meet detained migrant kids in Texas.

The 48-year-old ex-model was seen walking up the steps of a government jet in the $39 hooded ­olive-green Zara jacket to start her journey to the US border — and she wore it again while deplaning upon her return.

As photos of the strange statement jacket spread online — with some making meme images that replaced the jacket’s slogan with “Let them eat cake” and others just wondering if she was sending a cry for help — the first lady’s office insisted Melania’s sartorial choice was meaningless.

“It’s a jacket. There was no hidden message,” her spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, told reporters. “After today’s important visit to Texas, I hope this isn’t what the media is going to choose to focus on.”

16 June 2018

A comprehensive survey of the artist's work, opening soon at MCA, Sydney.

MCA: Learn the stories of Arnhem Land as we celebrate the opening of John Mawurndjul: I am the old and the new (6 Jul – 23 Sep). Hear from the Kuninjku elder and artist as he discusses kunred (places of cultural significance), stay for a panel discussion on contemporary Aboriginal art practices, join a curatorial tour, and drop into our Family Day for story time, activities and performances.